Christine O'Sullivan, Rose of Tralee chaperone
Given her workload over the next 10 days, you would think that Christine O'Sullivan would be very well paid, but in fact she volunteers to chaperone the women competing to be the next Rose of Tralee. The Dubliner, who has been involved with the Rose of Tralee International Festival since 2003, is taking time off from her job with the Department of Education and Science to be involved. "My friends think that I am missing a few brain cells to be doing this on my holidays, but I just love it," she says.
O'Sullivan's job kicks off in earnest tomorrow, as the Roses begin a week-long tour. "This week is very important, because it allows the girls to get to know each other. Once we get to Tralee they are on show, but the tour is very relaxed and allows them to find their feet and enjoy each other's company."
The tour takes in Dublin Zoo, Guinness Storehouse, Lough Rea, the Cliffs of Moher and Foynes Flying Boat Museum, with other engagements and photocalls along the way. On Thursday evening, at Bunratty Castle, the Roses will meet the escorts for the first time. "We don't tell them who their escort is until Friday, so the Thursday evening is great craic, because they meet all the escorts without finding out who they have been paired with."
A gala ball on Friday night is the Roses' first official event in Tralee. "It's pretty nerve-racking for them. There are around 900 people at that, and they do a waltz with their escort. Part of my role all week is to make sure they go off to bed early. It's a little odd telling grown women what time they have to go to bed at, but they understand that the schedule is hectic and they need to sleep." The Roses are judged individually over the weekend before their televised date with Ray D'Arcy on August 20th and 21st.
Is the festival still relevant? "Most people will switch over for a look when it's on TV. They might not admit to it, but they will. It is moving with the times, and the girls are modern Irish women. They are high achievers. Every girl likes to dress up and be treated like a princess, and that's what we do: we pamper them something rotten."
Rose of Tralee International Festival starts next Friday and runs until August 21st. See www.roseoftralee.ie